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Case studiesData engineering and SQL

Exceptional talent. Protected margins.

Eight engineers helped a US client tackle urgent data work and preserve margins, at approximately 40% below fully loaded onshore FTE costs.

By Truffle teamPublished

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Original Truffle geometric artwork in pink, purple, and lavender.
8
Initial team

Data engineers and SQL developers

Unearthing hidden opportunities to grow.

Client
US company
Delivery
Remote from South Africa
Daily overlap
At least 5 hours with the US client
Initial term
18 months

Problem

Critical work. Tight margins.

A US client needed an experienced data team for an urgent project. Complex systems and tight margins made quality, speed, and cost equally important.

  • Disparate legacy systems and unreliable data.
  • Critical bugs and reports to restore.
  • Access and documentation gaps.
  • Stakeholders across the US, Malaysia, and beyond.

Solution

Eight specialists. One integrated team.

Truffle assembled eight engineers, including SQL developers, from its active candidate pipeline. Simple contracting and hands-on onboarding helped the client move quickly.

  1. Within 3 days

    Client interviews

    Candidates drawn from Truffle's active pipeline.

  2. Within 2 weeks

    First consultants start

    First consultants begin project work.

  3. About 1.5 months

    Full team in place

    All eight engineers, including SQL developers.

A detail of Truffle’s original geometric brand artwork.
Equipped to contribute. Supported to succeed.
  • Shared onboardingA joint kickoff, training, and upskilling, with setup, access, and documentation tracked in Truffle's platform.
  • Office in a boxIT equipment, a second screen, and an onboarding kit for every consultant.
  • Everyday collaborationEnglish-speaking specialists joined daily standups, worked directly with the end client, and flexed schedules across time zones.
  • Ongoing supportMonthly reviews, reminders, and kudos kept consultants supported and contributions visible.

Reward

The quality behind the results.

The client gained exceptional technical talent while preserving project margins. The team took ownership of difficult work and created capacity for the next phase.

~40%Lower fully loaded cost

Exceptional people. Pricing that helped preserve the client’s project margin.

Approximate saving against the client’s fully loaded onshore FTE costs for this engagement.

Average client feedback
4.8/5

14 monthly reviews. Seven consultants.

August reviews rated 5/5
7 of 7

August 2026 review cycle.

Client team lead reviews, June and August 2026.

Rated highly. Trusted to deliver.

The customer was extremely impressed with both the speed and accuracy of the delivery.

Client team lead, June 2026 consultant review
  • Difficult issues resolvedA data issue open for approximately six months was resolved within a few weeks, with limited oversight.
  • Room to improveNearly all outstanding tickets on one project were closed, creating space to improve data models and processes.
  • A stronger foundationDocumentation of legacy systems and an automated documentation process prepared the ground for further integration and cleanup.
  • Client-facing confidenceConsultants handled complex work directly with the end client, communicated clearly, and raised roadblocks early.
+3
Developers added

The partnership grew to include three additional developers.